RedFarm
529 Hudson St., nr. Charles St.; 212-792-9700
Sample chef Joe Ng’s clean, fresh take on Chinese food for your Christmas Eve dinner at RedFarm. The restaurant serves dinner from 4:45 p.m. to 11:45 p.m., and the options include sautéed black cod and lobster with pork and egg. After your meal, walk over to the Film Forum to catch a movie.
Fatty Crab
643 Hudson St., nr. Horatio St.; 212-352-3592
The Fatty Crew’s Malaysian restaurant is serving up a Christmas feast, complete with seasonal cocktails like the Fatty Sour. Order for yourself or share some old favorites family-style, like stir-fried Chinese broccoli, General Tso’s chicken, or crab rangoon. Catch a post-dinner film at the Quad Cinema on 13th St.
Chin Chin
216 E. 49th St., nr. Third Ave.; 212-888-4555
Midtown’s Chin Chin doesn’t have Christmas specials, but we were told that Christmas Eve is the restaurant’s busiest day of the year. You’d best make a reservation quick if you want a chance to dine at this upscale Chinese restaurant, where you can sample a thousand-year egg or tea-smoked duck. Then, head a few blocks north to City Cinema for some entertainment.
Shun Lee West
43 W. 65th St., nr. Columbus Ave.; 212-595-8895
The folks at Shun Lee tell us that last year on Christmas, they served over 1,500 meals to patrons from as far away as California. The regular à la carte menu will be available, and the restaurant says most customers go for traditional items like spare ribs, spring rolls, and wonton soup served family-style. They’ll be open from 11:30 a.m. to midnight, so you can stop by before and after a screening at AMC Loews Lincoln Square 13.
Peking Duck House
28 Mott St., nr. Pell St.; 212-227-1810
For an authentic Chinatown dinner experience, swing by Peking Duck House. The restaurant will be serving its regular menu on Christmas Eve, and is conveniently located just a quick walk from the Sunshine Cinema.
Buddakan
75 Ninth Ave., nr. 16th St.; 212-989-6699
For a mix of traditional items and new twists, visit Buddakan in Chelsea Market. The restaurant is serving its regular à la carte menu on Christmas Eve, with the first seating at 5 p.m. and the last at 11 p.m. Clearview’s Chelsea Cinema is just a quick walk up Eighth Avenue.
China Grill
60 W. 53rd St., nr. Sixth Ave.; 212-333-7788
Jeffrey Chodorow’s Asian fusion restaurant has an upscale vibe and creative, shareable dishes. Try the lobster pancakes, or play it safe with barbecue short ribs. When you’re done, walk just two blocks to Clearview’s Ziegfeld Cinema for the traditional movie.
Mr. K’s
570 Lexington Ave., at 51st St.; 212-583-1668
Mr. K’s will be serving up until 11 p.m. on Christmas Eve, with a menu that covers the Shanghai, Peking, Hunan, and Szechuan regions. For the non-kosher, the restaurant has an extensive list of shellfish dishes. Then, try out an independent film at the Paris Theater.
Mr. Chow Tribeca
121 Hudson St., nr. N. Moore St.; 212-965-9500
You won’t miss out by heading to Mr. Chow Tribeca for Christmas dinner, with exquisite jade water dumplings and rice-paper prawns. Dinner will be served until 11:30 p.m. From there, it’s a short walk to Tribeca Cinemas.
Queens Kickshaw
40-17 Broadway, at 41st St.; 718-777-0913
If you’re in the mood for an early dinner or post-lunch movie, the Queens Kickshaw is offering a special Christmas Eve Asian-Jewish mash-up brunch. Try some of their new creations, like the challah french toast with Chinese five-spice pear compote, kimchi shakshouka, or the Szechuan egg in a potato latke basket. All items are served à la carte from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Regal Kaufman Astoria, just a few blocks away, awaits you for a post-meal screening.